Your extended public key can be used to set up watch-only wallets, connect to portfolio/financial software, or share an account for viewing without exposing private keys. The BitBoxApp lets you view the extended public key for each Bitcoin account safely.
If you’re new to this topic: read our guide first for background and format differences:
Understanding Bitcoin extended public key formats
Privacy reminder
An extended public key reveals your full address history for that account and all future receive addresses derived from it. Only share it with services and people you fully trust.
Step-by-step guide
- Open the BitBoxApp on your computer.
You can view the extended public key without the device if the wallet is remembered—but you’ll still need the BitBox02 to verify it on the device.
- (Optional) Connect your BitBox02.
- (Optional) Unlock your BitBox02 if prompted.
- In the left sidebar, click the Bitcoin account you need the extended public key for (for example, “TEST”).
- In the account view, click Account info (top-right).
- In the Account information window, locate the extended public key.
- Click Copy (or use the copy icon) to copy the extended public key as text.
- (Optional) Use the QR code on the right side to scan the extended public key into another app.
If you can see the “Account information” window, you’ve found the correct place. The extended public key is shown both as text (copyable) and as a QR code.
What you see in the “Account information” screen
Besides the extended public key itself, the BitBoxApp shows several details that help you confirm you’re exporting the right account and the right address format.
| Field shown in BitBoxApp | Example (typical) | What it means / why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Account name | “TEST” | Your label for this account in the BitBoxApp. Helps ensure you selected the correct account. |
| Keypath (derivation path) | m/84'/0'/0' | The path used to derive keys/addresses for this account. Useful for advanced setups and compatibility checks. |
| Script type | Native Segwit (bech32) | The address type used by this account (and therefore the address format you’ll see). |
| Root fingerprint | 1a2b3c4d | Identifier of the master key. Helpful for multisig, recovery workflows, or ensuring you’re using the expected seed. |
| Coin | Bitcoin | Confirms which asset/network this account belongs to. |
| Extended public key | zpub… / ypub… / xpub… | The value you copy/share for watch-only use. It can generate receive addresses for this account, but cannot spend funds. |
| QR code | (scannable code) | A scannable representation of the extended public key for importing into another app. |
The extended public key is not secret like recovery words—but it is sensitive. Anyone with it can track balances and transactions for that account.
Switching between key formats (zpub / ypub / xpub)
On the Account information screen, the BitBoxApp shows the Native Segwit extended public key by default (commonly zpub). If another service requires a different format:
- Open Account info for the account.
- Under “Currently displaying…”, click the format link.
- Select the required format (for example, Segwit / ypub, or legacy formats if needed).
- Copy the extended public key again.
Some apps label these formats differently. If an external app asks for “xpub” but you only see “zpub”, check whether it supports native segwit. If not, switch to the format it supports.
What about the Taproot extended public key?
For security reasons, the BitBoxApp does not display the Taproot extended public key. This helps prevent accidental misuse because many services still don’t support Taproot “raw” extended public keys reliably.
If you’re an advanced user and need Taproot details, use third-party wallet software that supports output descriptors together with your BitBox02.
Only use advanced export formats if you understand the compatibility and privacy implications. If you’re unsure, stick to the formats shown in the BitBoxApp.
Verifying your extended public key on the BitBox02
Verifying confirms the extended public key shown in the BitBoxApp matches what your BitBox02 actually generates.
- Connect your BitBox02.
- Unlock it if prompted.
- In Account info, click Verify on device.
- Confirm the displayed information on the BitBox02 screen.
If the device confirmation matches the BitBoxApp, you can be confident you’re exporting the correct extended public key.
FAQ
Can I see my extended public key without my BitBox02 connected?
Yes—if you enabled Remember wallet in the BitBoxApp settings, you can open Account info and view the extended public key without connecting the device. To verify on device, you still need the BitBox02 connected and unlocked.
Where is the “Account info” button?
After selecting a Bitcoin account in the left sidebar, Account info appears in the account view at the top-right, next to the Guide button.
Why can’t I find an extended public key for my Ethereum account?
Extended public keys are primarily used for UTXO-based coins like Bitcoin where many addresses are derived per account. Account-based coins like Ethereum use a single address per account and do not work the same way.
Is it safe to share my extended public key?
It is safe in the sense that it cannot spend your funds, but it can expose your transaction history and balances for that account. Only share it with trusted services, and avoid posting it publicly.
Why does a service ask for xpub but BitBoxApp shows zpub/ypub?
Many services use “xpub” as a generic term. Check what address type the service supports:
- If it supports native segwit, use zpub.
- If it supports segwit (P2SH), use ypub.
- If it only supports legacy, you may need the legacy format.